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Earlier this week, the National Education Union (NEU) warned that an early return could result in an "increased risk" to school staff and children.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Barton said: "I think across the teaching profession there is a level of anxiety about people running away with themselves in terms of when schools can open because it will be good for the economy.

"We need to be very cautious about it. But I think it is absolutely reasonable that we are starting to think about what it will look like when the day comes and we do start reintegrating children."

The ASCL leader suggested that Year 6 pupils, who have not been able to say goodbye to primary school teachers and are worried about starting secondary school in the autumn, could be among those to return first.

He added that Year 10s who are halfway through their GCSEs, as well as Year 12s doing their A-levels, could be brought in earlier than other year groups.

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Mr Barton told PA: "There could be an argument for some of those younger pupils going in, but equally some of those GCSE students in order to make up some time with them.

"I think we are just at the beginning of starting to think at some point which children and how."

His comments came as schools in Denmark opened their doors to pupils up to the age of 11 on Wednesday as the country relaxed Covid-19 restrictions.

In an article for the Times Educational Supplement (TES) Mr Barton said: "We have a window of opportunity now in which we can plan, look at how other countries are handling this situation, and develop a sensible strategy.

"We have to start actively thinking and preparing for how a return to school can be safely achieved. Otherwise it will be something that is done to us rather than with us."

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Schools in England closed four weeks ago to the majority of pupils, apart from the children of key workers and vulnerable youngsters.

The NEU wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week asking for the Government to share its modelling, evidence and plans for reopening schools.

There is no indication yet as to when schools may reopen, but the NEU is concerned that speculation about it happening soon is coming from "unnamed Government ministers".

More than 80,000 have signed a petition, launched by the NEU on Tuesday, which opposes any reopening of schools "before it is safe to do so".

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: "I am pleased that so many have supported it and the number continues to grow.

"As yet there is no clarity as to how social distancing would or even could be implemented in schools, particularly for younger age groups.

"Even though the majority of children are considered low risk, their teachers and families are not.

"The fear is that asymptomatic children will put adult staff in danger, so it is essential that we see a programme of testing, PPE (personal protective equipment) and contact tracing throughout the education sector before schools are fully reopened."